Four youngsters accused of arson and damaging property after a spate of car vandalism in Castlefield earlier this year have denied the charges against them.

All four pleaded not guilty to the charges when they appeared via video link at Aylesbury Crown Court this morning.

Iftikar Aslam, 22, of Desborough Road, 20-year-old Waqus Yasin and 19-year-old Khurum Hanif, both of Rutland Avenue, pleaded not guilty to charges of arson, damaging property and theft of a motor vehicle during today's hearing.

They were all charged following a spree of crimes across the Castlefield area of High Wycombe which lasted for nearly two months. A total of 247 cars were damaged, leading to police on horseback patrolling the streets in a bid to restore order.

Hanif also today pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of arson, for incidents alleged to have happened last year.

A 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded not guilty to two counts of damaging property during today's hearing. According to the court he damaged a series of motor vehicles in mid March.

A second 17-year-old, who also cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged alongside the other four defendants. He was due to enter pleas but his case was delayed after he applied to have new lawyers represent him.

He is due to enter pleas at another court hearing on August 25.

Judge Francis Sheridan, who presided over today's hearing, said the defendants' trial would start at some point in the two weeks beginning October 5.